Colleen and Joan's summary of Chapter six A Learning Centre Approach
Learning centres
Implications for students
Implications for teachers
allows for group work
students can often work at various levels of difficulty
can take greater responsibility for their own learning
more willing to take risks in small group situations
gain leadership skills and confidence
teacher becomes facilitator
fewer materials are needed as resources are shared
facilitates integration and assessment
learning centres can be especially useful for integrating social skills
Creating effective learning centres- things to consider: which centres will be permanent and where they will be situated centres can be flexible which centres will involve generic learning (ex: keyboarding) and which will be directly related to a theme or a unit. Some centres can be used for both. because learning centres target independent learning, students need to possess the basic skills needed to complete the tasks each centre needs clear instructions and labels allow time for sharing after learning centre work for questions and reflection
Planning - The text suggests using a template such as the following to plan learning centres:
Learning Centre and task name
Learning expectations
Assessment
Materials needed
Tracking
Managing Learning Centres - how to move students through learning centres: 1/ use learning centres when tasks are completed 2/ use a sign up system or schedule 3/ use a rotation system 4/ use tracking sheets
The text offers several examples of each of the above options and includes black line masters for tracking.
Assessing the Learning Centres
use the assessment strategies you have planned
observe individuals and small groups, take anecdotal notes
include self assessment on tracking sheets
create checklists and rubrics
you can use a contract or involve parents if students consistently do not complete tasks
Learning centres
Implications for students
Creating effective learning centres- things to consider:
which centres will be permanent and where they will be situated
centres can be flexible
which centres will involve generic learning (ex: keyboarding) and which will be directly related to a theme or a unit. Some centres can be used for both.
because learning centres target independent learning, students need to possess the basic skills needed to complete the tasks
each centre needs clear instructions and labels
allow time for sharing after learning centre work for questions and reflection
Planning - The text suggests using a template such as the following to plan learning centres:
Learning Centre and task name
Managing Learning Centres - how to move students through learning centres:
1/ use learning centres when tasks are completed
2/ use a sign up system or schedule
3/ use a rotation system
4/ use tracking sheets
The text offers several examples of each of the above options and includes black line masters for tracking.
Assessing the Learning Centres